Christmas tree lined road in San Juan , Puerto RIco
courteous and essential to present a gift to the household you are visiting . An older tradition was for the younger siblings to journey first to visit their parents , then the eldest sibling .
Courtesy of Sherine Akl and Helen Attieh , owners of A Taste of Lebanon , a catering company honoring their heritage and designed to bring authentic Lebanese cuisine to Northeast Florida
Colombia
Menu and Traditions :
Holiday celebrations begin on December 7 , the day of the Immaculate Conception , continuing until January 6 , Three Kings Day . Although gifts are usually exchanged on Christmas Eve , it is Niño Dios who distributes gifts to children .
New Year ’ s Eve is also an incredible celebration in Colombia . According to Viviana , “ They go all out . It ’ s even bigger than Christmas .” In the U . S ., most people get together with friends on New Year ’ s . However , in Colombia , it ’ s customary to spend this evening exclusively with family , usually at home with a lot of music and dancing . Unique to Colombians , on New Year ’ s Eve , many eat 12 grapes at midnight to bring good luck . Some also walk around the block with a suitcase to entice a productive year of travel .
Pork roast , ajiaco ( chicken and potato soup ) or tamales are popular for mealtime . Many Colombian families make a brothy-type soup called “ consome ” to have ready for the evening to help with the hangover , especially for New Year ’ s festivities .
-Courtesy of Viviana , Colombian-America
Puerto Rico
Menu and Traditions :
On the island of Puerto Pico , the holiday season begins right after Thanksgiving , making it one of the longest celebrations in the world . Decorations are put up at this time and left until mid-January for all to enjoy .
Parrandas are a popular occurrence . Friends and families gather quietly outside a house late in the evening with instruments to sing traditional carols . The intention is to burst into lively song surprising , and potentially waking , the household with merriment . As Puerto Rican native Mayredlis explains , “ Parrandas are Christmas carols on steroids .” On Three King ’ s Day ( January 6 ), children leave shoeboxes with grass for the camels as well as milk or water for the kings .
Traditionally , a jubilant , music-filled festival called las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian signifies the end of the holiday season .
A signature celebratory menu consists of rice with pigeon peas ( arroz con gandules ), pork roast ( lechon asado ), potato salad , boiled pig stomach ( cuajito ) with boiled green banana and morcilla ( blood sausages with rice ). Flan and tres leches are classic options for dessert .
-Courtesy of Mayredlis , Puerto Rican native
Kindly note , although these topics were researched , they ultimately represent the experiences of Florida residents either native to the respective region or with family in the respective country . We understand traditions , values and faiths within each area vary . The insights provided are specific to individuals and their knowledge of the respective region .
ST JOHNS PARENT MAGAZINE | 11